Inklingo

How to Say "disgusting" in Spanish

English → Spanish

asqueroso

ahs-keh-ROH-soh/as.keˈro.so/

AdjectiveB1Informal to Neutral
Use 'asqueroso' for general feelings of disgust, often related to things that are dirty, unappetizing, or morally objectionable in a strong but everyday way.
A close-up illustration of a pile of bright green, bubbly slime mixed with several pieces of rotting, brown fruit.

Examples

Ese olor es asqueroso, ¿qué es?

That smell is disgusting, what is it?

La sopa estaba fría y asquerosa, no pude comerla.

The soup was cold and gross; I couldn't eat it.

La película tenía escenas asquerosas que me hicieron taparme los ojos.

The movie had disgusting scenes that made me cover my eyes.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'asqueroso' must match the thing it describes in both number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). Remember: asqueroso, asquerosa, asquerosos, asquerosas.

Forgetting Gender Change

Mistake: “La comida era asqueroso.”

Correction: La comida era asquerosa. (Because 'comida' is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine.)

repugnante

/reh-poog-NAHN-teh//re.puɣˈnan.te/

AdjectiveB1Neutral to Formal
Use 'repugnante' when you want to express a more intense, visceral reaction of revulsion, often for things that are truly foul or offensive.
A cartoon child with a wrinkled nose and wide eyes showing extreme disgust while looking down at a puddle of bright green, lumpy slime on a wooden floor.

Examples

El olor que salía de la alcantarilla era verdaderamente repugnante.

The smell coming out of the sewer was truly disgusting.

Muchos consideraron que su actitud egoísta era repugnante.

Many considered his selfish attitude to be repugnant.

Ella dijo que el sabor de la medicina era tan repugnante que no pudo tragarla.

She said the taste of the medicine was so repulsive that she couldn't swallow it.

Always Stays the Same (Gender)

Since this adjective ends in '-e', it doesn't change its form based on whether the thing it describes is masculine (el) or feminine (la). It only adds an '-s' for plural: 'cosas repugnantes'.

Confusing Ser and Estar

Mistake: “Using 'estar repugnante'.”

Correction: Always use 'ser repugnante'. This word describes an essential, lasting quality of something (it IS disgusting), not a temporary state (it is FEELING disgusting).

Asqueroso vs. Repugnante Intensity

Learners often mix up 'asqueroso' and 'repugnante' because both mean 'disgusting.' The key difference is intensity: 'repugnante' signals a stronger, more visceral reaction than the more common 'asqueroso'.

Related Translations

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